Amid Matheus Cunha’s departure from Wolverhampton Wanderers, it seems as though another high-profile star will leave Molineux this summer. Manchester City are thought to be making a move for Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, in a bid to boost their defensive quality this summer after a tough campaign.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that the defender “has already said yes” to the move to East Manchester, and negotiations for the transfer will “advance” in the coming days.
He will be a big loss for the Old Gold. Last term, Ait-Nouri played 37 Premier League games, scoring four times and registering seven assists.
However, if they are to lose the 23-year-old this summer, then there could already be a replacement lined up at Molinuex.
Wolves’ search for a full-back
There is no doubt that losing Ait-Nouri, a talisman of this Wolves team and a key man under Vitor Pereira, would be a big loss for the West Midlands side. If they do lose him, Wolves could turn to a newly-promoted outfit instead.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
A report from Sky Sports on Monday night suggested that the Old Gold are ‘interested’ in signing Trai Hume from Sunderland. However, they will face competition from fellow Premier League side Everton, as well as unnamed sides in La Liga.
A price for the defender has not been made clear this summer. Hume has two years left on his current contract at the Stadium of Light, plus they can extend his deal for a further year.
Last summer, they reportedly wanted £10m, but a year later, perhaps that fee will have risen.
Why Hume would be a good signing
Hume was a key part of Sunderland’s success in the 2024/25 campaign. The Black Cats returned to the Premier League almost a decade away from the top flight, with Hume playing a big role in their return.
In all competitions, Hume featured in 48 games, scoring three goals and chipping in with six assists. He was an integral part of Regis Le Bris’ side, shown in the fact that he played 4230 minutes.
Hume only missed two matches in the Championship last term. One of those came in the disastrous run of five losses in a row to end the season, the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn. He grabbed all nine goal involvements in the second tier, with his most recent this superb cross for Jobe Bellingham against West Brom.
If Wolves were to sign Hume to replace Ait-Nouri next summer, he would add versatility to the club. Not only can the Northern Ireland international play at left-back, but he is a right-back by trade, and has played there more often than not for the Black Cats.
This certainly adds an interesting dynamic to the Old Gold squad. Pereira has the option to play Hume as a touchline-hugging left wing-back, just as Ait-Nouri did, or he can play him as an inverted wing-back, looking to overload the midfield.
Either way, the Sunderland number 32 has the quality to perform well in the Premier League. In fact, he was once described as “one of the best” full-backs in the Championship by former Sunderland interim manager Mike Dodds:
“If he carries on the path he is going to, Trai is going to the Premier League. That’s how good I think he is. When you think of full-backs in this league, Trai would definitely be one of the best if not the best full-backs in the league and I don’t think there will be many arguments over that.”
The stats from last season certainly show why Dodds once said that. Compared to other full-backs in the second tier, Hume’s numbers on FBref are exemplary. For example, he averaged 3.87 tackles and interceptions and 1.39 key passes per game, ranking him in the top 13% and top 9% of full-backs, respectively.
Key passes
1.39
91st
Progressive passes
5.13
93rd
Tackles and interceptions
3.87
87th
Ball recoveries
4.09
55th
Aerial duels won
2.27
77th
Although not an out-and-out left-back by trade, Hume could be a superb replacement for Ait-Nouri. There is no denying how much of a loss he would be to the Old Gold, but Hume has the attributes and tactical flexibility to be a dream successor.
They will face a battle to sign him this summer, but if Wolves do win the race for the 23-year-old’s signature, he could be an excellent addition to Pereira’s squad.
After Cunha: Pereira must now sell Wolves flop who earns more than Semedo
Wolves could be losing some big-name stars this summer
ByJoe NuttallJun 1, 2025